15 Books Celebrating Christmas Around the World
Does your family share a special meal, hang stockings, or open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Christmas traditions vary vastly between countries, cultures and communities. Sharing picture books about Christmas around the world is a wonderful way to spark conversations about the traditions children know and introduce celebrations they may not have encountered before.
Books Celebrating Christmas Around the World
As with all of the booklists, each title below links to an Amazon page (these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you) where you can find reviews for titles you might not be personally familiar with.
Mexico
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Poinsettia is a Mexican legend that tells how the poinsettia came to be the flower of the Holy Night. Tomie dePaola is a master storyteller and the illustrations in the book are beautiful.
Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño
A lovely story of a grandmother’s labor for her family in the lead up to Christmas is delightful for all ages.
Africa
Christmas in Lagos by Sharon Abimbola Salu
Ranti is disappointed to be spending Christmas at home while her schoolmates travel abroad, until her teacher inspires her to see what is special about Christmas in her hometown of Lagos, Nigeria. A wonderful reminder to be grateful for what is all around you.
Japan
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
The beautiful story of a Japanese family’s Christmas as the American born mother reflects on her own Christmas traditions and mother and child decorate their special version of a Christmas tree with traditional paper cranes and candles to celebrate the coming holiday.
England
Katie’s London Christmas by James Mayhew
Fly high across London, over snow-dusted landmarks, through the star-scattered sky with the one and only Father Christmas, in his sleigh, with his magical reindeer! Can Katie and Jack help Father Christmas to deliver all his presents in time for Christmas morning?
The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson
Inspired by the annual journey of London’s Christmas Tree to Trafalgar Square, this story of a tree with a special destiny includes details of the historic gift of the first pine tree given to the United Kingdom from the people of Norway in remembrance of the UK’s support during World War II.
Scotland
The 12 Days O Yule by Susan Rennie
With a cast of skaters skooshin, lassies birlin, sheep a-shooglin, the all-important five gowden rings and a reid robin in a rowan tree, this version of the traditional Christmas song features easy to pronounce Scottish words alongside lovely illustrations.
Italy
Our Italian Christmas Eve by Danielle Sedita
A delightful celebration of the Christmas Eve traditions of Italian families for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing by Amy Welborn
Alessandro watches his grandfather and thinks about his parents who are away. His grandparents suggest he make a Bambino for Bambinelli Sunday in Rome. This is a tradition that takes place on the third Sunday of Advent. Children come to St. Peter’s Square where the Holy Father blesses them. The children then return the babies to their manger scenes.
Russia
The Miracle of St. Nicholas by Gloria Whelan
Set in a small Russian village, a babushka tells the story of a past Christmas before the soldiers arrived. It’s a story of having faith and hope.
United States of America
Christmas in America by Callista Gingrich
Learn how Christmas has been celebrated in the United States throughout history in Christmas in America. Topics include colonists in Williamsburg, Virginia, Andrew Jackson at the White House, and Calvin Coolidge as he lights the first national Christmas tree.
Canada
An Aboriginal Carol by David Bouchard
Before the angels stars grew dim, And wondering hunters heard their hymn, One mystic flute – one hundred drums, One message clear, “A King has come!” A beautiful reworking of Canada’s oldest and most well-known carol, The Huron Carol, with stunning illustrations by First Nations artist Moses Beaver
Australia
John Williamson’s Christmas in Australia by John Williamson
It’s Christmas in Australia and Dad wants to capture the perfect family photo but can he get everyone in the same place at once??!
Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly & Robert Ingpen
The Tea and Sugar train only came once a week on a Thursday. But the special Christmas train only came once a year. Today was Sunday. Four more days without sugar. Four more days until the Christmas train! Join Kathleen in the Australian outback as she eagerly awaits the Christmas Tea and Sugar train. Will she meet Father Christmas? Will she receive a Christmas gift from him?
Christmas Around the World Books
A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman
Take a trip across the world, learning about how the children of each country prepare for a visit for Santa and the treats they leave for him to enjoy – including puto seko cookies and ginger tea in the Philippines, a honey-spice cookie in Russia and sweet potato cookies in Malawi! Includes recipes for the various treats for you to try too.
Christmas Around the World by Mary D Lankford
A detailed description of Christmas traditions and their inception from 12 diverse countries of the world are included in this wonderful celebration of Christmas. Children will learn about Ethiopian fringed umbrellas, star-shaped Filipino parol lanterns and candlelit Swedish St. Lucia crowns, and so much more.
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
The classic counting Christmas carol comes alive thanks to the illustrations of Jan Brett, where, hidden in the illustrations you will also find a family’s busy Christmas preparations, “Merry Christmas” in eleven languages, and a sweet menagerie of charming creatures.
Why not pair your new Christmas books with our Holidays Around the World Interactive Notebook & Lapbook;
